Chrenkoff

"Chrenkin' off" on the Right side of life since 1972 - - -
The news and views from Down Under on politics, international affairs and culture

Thursday, March 31, 2005

Another poll from Iraq

Once again, thanks to our special correspondent and translator Haider Ajina, this one was conducted by the school of political science at the Najaf University, polling 790 people between the ages 18-65 of both sexes and of different educational and socioeconomic backgrounds (and published in yesterday's edition of "Almendhar"):

"62% of those polled said they wanted Islam to be one of the sources of the constitution.

"38% wanted Islam to be the only source for the Iraqi constitution.

"49% support a federal government.

"50% support allowing those who boycotted the election to have input in writing the constitution.

"63% support the multi national forces staying in Iraq for the current time.

"85% expect the new transitional government to succeed in its goals.

"78% expect the new national assembly to successfully write a constitution by the dead line.

"1% said they expect civil war to break out."

As Haider reminds us, Najaf is the most religiously conservative city in Iraq, the home of Ayatollah Sistani and the Shia establishment. It's encouraging that even here, then, the popular opinion is a lot more moderate than all the talk about the "coming theocracy" would suggest.